New
Finds!

Annette Questionnaire

Just like
the Holy Grail, the "Lost" Ark of the Convenant and the Dead Sea Scrolls,Annette Collectors
have for years theorized about the "lost" Questionnaire thatAnnette filled
out in the early 30's. It was thought to be lost for years.Whoever had
it made no mention and only fleeting remarks about itsvery existence
were ever covered in any references about Annette's work.

Back in the
early 30's both Radio Star Magazine and Radioland Magazineused to run
polls of the favorite radio stars.Well Radioland
magazine decided to run a questionnaire of the starsand it was
thought that each star would fill out the questionnairesby one of
their agents and submit it to Radioland magazine.Well, Annette
being the trouper that she was, decided to fill itout herself
and send it to the lucky fan that was to get it.However,
no mention was ever made who that fan was.It was thought
lost in some drawer forever.

Well now it
has finally surfaced! At auction recently this long lost personalmemento of
Annette has been found. It is with great pleasure that I cantell all
Annette fans that Preston Meeks now has this long lost item.

If you are
interested in finding out more about this long lost treasure, please email
Preston at:

If you have
items to trade or anything that may pique his interest aboutAnnette he
may tell you more about it!

More Details!

Here are some
more details about the 1930's survey just sent to me by Preston.

Her favorite
flower: VioletHer favorite
Screen Star: Helen HayesNow for a
bit of mystery: her favorite poem is "Cynara". This is a rather
obscure poemby the late
Ernest Dowson (1867-1900) Words are as follows:

Cynara by
Ernest Dowson (1867-1900)

Last night,
ah, yesternight, betwixt her lips and mine There
fell thy shadow, Cynara! thy breath was shed Upon
my soul between the kisses and the wine; And
I was desolate and sick of an old passion, Yea,
I was desolate and bowed my head: I
have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.

All
night upon mine heart I felt her warm heart beat, Night-long
within mine arms in love and sleep she lay; Surely
the kisses of her bought red mouth were sweet; But
I was desolate and sick of an old passion, When
I awoke and found the dawn was gray; I
have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.

I have forgot
much, Cynara! gone with the wind, Flung
roses, roses riotously with the throng,Dancing,
to put thy pale, lost lilies out of mind; But
I was desolate and sick of an old passion, Yea,
all the time, because the dance was long; I
have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.

I
cried for madder music and for stronger wine, But
when the feast is finished and the lamps expire, Then
falls thy shadow, Cynara! the night is thine; And
I was desolate and sick of an old passion, Yea
hungry for the lips of my desire: I
have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.

Soon To
Come: More Details

Anyone able
to guess what her favorite car is? I will post this and give
moredetails in
the weeks to come. Also Preston soon will be sending me a personalletter from
John Hammond who knew Annette from the time thatshe had the
"Melody Shop".

This letter
was sent to Frank Hanshawupon Annette's
death. There are other tantalizing bits ofmemorabilia
that Preston just recently obtained from Frank Hanshawwhich I will
post on the web site as I receive them.

Other News:

Two of the
most tantalizing bits of memorabilia thatAnnette collectors
love to theorize about are her first andlast recordings.
I have both in my possession and will beanalyzing
them in the months to come.

Annette's
First Recordings

Annette's
first recording was a two part medley that she recordedat the Pathé
Actuelle studios in New York City. It consistedof the following
songs:

Part
One

1.
What can I say dear?2
Bye, Bye Blackbird3.
The Day I Met You

At
the end of Part One of the medley Annette is heard talking tothe
record producer,"What's
that Jack? Oh I know, but I'm not doing it well, you know,I'm
all a quivering, Mr. Bulena", she says.

Part
Two

1.
Don't Want Nobody But You2.
I Wonder What's become of Joe3.
Five Foot Two

This
recording was made on July 28, 1926 and she accompaniedherself on
piano. This was an interesting time for Annetteand for the
Pathé Frères Phonograph company.

It was in
1923 that the Pathé Frères Phonograph companyreorganized
in America. This pioneering French cylindermanufacturer
had studios in Paris, London, Milanand Moscow
and had amassed an extensive catalog ofcylinder
masters and by means of a mechanicaldevice called
a "pantograph" was able to copy itsmasters in
either cylinder or disc. It remained in wide useuntil the
advent of the electrical recordings in the fall of 1926.

It was in
1923 the Pathé Frères Phonograph Companyreorganized
in the United States as the Pathé Phonographand Radio
Corporation, with Russel Hunting as the manager.New studios
were opened at 150 East 53rd Street

With the reoganization
it started its new label the"Pathé
Actuelle" series.

It used its
own masters for the most part, but also used masters from the followingcompanies:

Then the big
change began in 1926 with the advent of theelectrical
recording process. They started with the E-2000 series

Annette made
these two E-2000 series in July 28, 1926. They wouldhave been
one of the first electrical recordings made by theFrench firm.
At this time these masters were made by theCompo Company
of Canada. It was not until 1927 that theywere able
to release their own masters.

For more
information on the Pathé Record Company pleaserefer to
the excellent book by Allan Sutton"Directory
of American Disc Record Brands and Manufacturers , 1891-1943"

Annette's
Last Recordings

Annette made
her last "official" recording in 1936. It was a "private"recording
with the Five H's. They were also known as Frankie Hanshaw and his Young Scarsdalians. (personal correspondence from Frank Hanshaw III dated July 25, 2002)It included her brother Frank Hanshaw Jr. (Frank Hanshaws III's father) as leader.Also included
were Sal Pace on Alto Saxophone and clarinet. Lastly Emile Palucciplayed piano, while Frank Jr. played trumpet. According to Frank Hanshaw III, his father, Frank Jr. and Emile remained friends for over 60 years and Emile was the editor for Variety Magazine his whole life.
Also represented were Tom Rockwell and Cork O'Keefe. (personal correspondence from Frank Hanshaw III dated July 25,2002)

These songs were
recorded at the Edwin Strong Studios in Manhatten andincluded
a medley of songs.

Not even twenty
days after these recordings were made she was "back"to the minor
leagues as it were to the "Harmony" label to continuerecording
for the dime store labels. She never recorded again for theofficial
Columbia label. These recordings were pretty powerful stuff andcould have
been the start of something big, really big. But Moe Synderwouldn't
have that happening. But Annette was a star despite the effortsof Ruth's
husband. These recordings included Phil Napoleon, Benny GoodmanBen Selvin,
and Rube Bloom, some of the best and brightest musiciansof the day.